Philadelphia, PA -- The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (APABA-PA), in partnership with the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC), announced today that they will be hosting a press conference to educate the Asian American community and its leaders about requirements imposed by the new Pennsylvania Voter ID law. The press conference will take place on July 2, 2012 at 12 noon at the PCDC office, located at 301 N. 9th Street in Philadelphia's Chinatown.

"Voter ID laws like the new Pennsylvania law have consistently disenfranchised Asian American voters," said Glenn D. Magpantay, Director of the Democracy Program at AALDEF. "Asian Americans have been asked to show identification at disproportionately high rates even when it was not a legal requirement. Asian Americans are the fastest growing population in the U.S., and it is imperative that we educate the community about the new voter ID law to ensure that we can exercise our right to vote."

Pennsylvania is the 16th state with a photo-ID requirement for voting. Governor Corbett signed the legislation on March 14, 2012.

The press conference will cover:
- how this new law affects Asian Americans;
- acceptable forms of ID on Election Day;
- how to obtain free photo ID to vote;
- voters' rights on Election Day; and
- what to do if voters encounter any issues.

AALDEF, APABA-PA, and PCDC strongly encourage members of the ethnic press and concerned members of the community to attend.

APABA-PA (formerly the Asian American Bar Association of the Delaware Valley) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 to serve a wide network of Asian Pacific American attorneys admitted or practicing in Pennsylvania, Northern Delaware, and Southern New Jersey. APABA-PA is dedicated to the advancement of its members and meeting the legal needs of the Asian Pacific American communities.

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), founded in 1974, is a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.

Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) is a grassroots, nonprofit, community-based organization, whose mission is to preserve, protect, and promote Chinatown as a viable ethnic, residential, and business community.